Valanciunas' makes Raptors' debut; team loses to Pistons 101 to 99 in preseason play

Raptors HQ | Oct 11

That was pretty fun.

For a preseason game between two teams that are hardly playoff locks, last night's tilt between the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors was one of the more enjoyable "fake" games I've seen in a while.

For starters it was incredibly close, especially in the second-half, where it took an Andre Drummond tip-in with 35 ticks left on the clock, to give the Pistons a 101 to 99 win.

Second, it pitted two clubs that have a number of very intriguing young prospects, excellent defensive-minded coaches, and enough veteran experience to perhaps make a run at an eighth and final playoff spot.

And third...well, having missed Toronto's win over Real Madrid on Monday night, this was my first taste of NBA action for the newly minted season.